Chapter Four

It was somewhat disturbing how one simple question from Adrien could render Marinette inert. With wide eyes she stared at him blankly. All because he wanted to know what sort of prize she'd offer him if he caught the garter. Meaning her mind had gone into a frenzy of inappropriate answers, frying her ability to say anything at all. Now her brain needed a system reboot while Adrien's green eyes studied her with curiosity.

But there was more than just inquisitiveness in his gaze. Smouldering promises teased her from his emerald depths and Marinette wasn't sure if it was reality or simply wishful thinking on her part. The more daring side her personality wanted to lay it on the line and suggest that she'd reward him with a smoking hot kiss. The sort she'd dreamed about frequently as a teenager.

But did she dare? Nora had suggested playing hard to get but right here, right now, Adrien was presenting her with an opportunity she couldn't pass up. The chance to have her long-time crush agree with whatever she wanted of him. Well, it had to seem like a prize to him or she at least had to word it as such. Yet her mind continued to view it as Adrien presenting himself on a platter. And she wanted a large helping of that delectable dish. Oh who was she kidding, she wanted him for the rest of her life.

Marinette was yanked from her stupor as Adrien pulled back his cuff and tapped his watch. "Tick tock, Marinette. Lay out the terms or I will."

Frantic and wild ideas passed through her head. A make out session? No, that wouldn't sound classy to a high-end model. Damn it, was a second date too much of a stretch? Hard to get. Hard to get. What could she throw out there that didn't seem desperate but also met Nora's criteria?

"Take me…" she paused to consider her answer and almost choked when Adrien's eyes darkened at her unfinished sentence, "…along with you to fashion week in London."

"Done," Adrien replied with roughened briskness and lazy smile that had more than her heart responding. The man strolled his way into the mob of single guys and ran a hand through his hair, in a move that was designed to draw attention. With his blonde locks pushed away from his face, Marinette had a clear view of his dazzling eyes that were giving her a scorching onceover.

Nora appeared from nowhere. "Holy crap, what did you say to him?"

"Um, we made a wager."

"Please tell me it involves whipped cream and him being naked."

"Not exactly. You said hard to get."

"Yeah but damn. The man is undressing you with his eyes. Make it a reality."

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Talk about switching tactics."

"When a guy is looking at woman like that, believe me, he's not going to say no if she ask for a striptease."

"I want a relationship, not a one night stand."

"Mmm, fair enough. I'd do a one-nighter."

"Nora!"

"What? I'm just saying. The man is a supermodel for a reason. You could fry an egg on his abs, he's that hot. A little too young for me but hey, I'm open minded." Nora raised her hands in surrender at Marinette's glare. "He's all yours, sister. I'm just teasing. But whatever you're doing, I think it's working."

"If you say so."

Marinette returned her attention to Adrien who had weaved his way to the middle of the pack. Alya was sitting on a chair as Nino dived under her skirt to pull the garter from her hidden leg. Woof whistles followed as Nino emerged with the garter between his teeth and a huge grin on his face.

The groom took the flimsy bit of lace between his thumb and forefinger. "Who wants this?" He called as he began spinning the garter around his index finger.

There were a number of jeers and Marinette laughed when Adrien raised his hand eagerly and joined in.

Nino didn't bother turning around, instead he used his fingers to slingshot the garter skyward over the rowdy bunch of single men. There was a scuffle but Adrien was the most determined. He should have been hedged in by the men around him, yet the model moved with the effortless grace of a parkour expert. Leaping high, Adrien sprung his way upward via his knees upon the human stepping stones around him. This unexpected manoeuvring gave him the height to snatch the garter from the air before anyone else could reach.

Again, Marinette found herself thinking of how familiar his actions were. Almost as if Adrien were ghosting Chat Noir's tactics, such as when her partner was freeing himself from a swarm of invading enemies, levering himself up and out of the fray. Although Chat Noir would have run across the mob, using their heads and shoulders as his own haphazard footpath. Adrien wasn't that blasé about the wedding guests.

Nora elbowed Marinette. "Wow, someone was mighty keen to get the garter."

Of course, Adrien was now busy apologising to the guys he'd used as springboards while they merely laughed and congratulated him. Once that was done, the model swaggered her way the moment their locked eyes.

A smug grin lit his features. "Looks like you're coming to London with me."

"It does." Marinette said with a subtler smile.

"Make sure it's first class," Nora added.

"I wouldn't consider anything less for my lady," Adrien said with a smoothness that had both women wanting to fan themselves. But his final words had Marinette pausing to reflect. Was the absence of regular contact with Chat Noir making her more sensitive to things he'd usually do or say? Adrien hadn't specifically said 'milady' yet there was a familiarity in the way he spoke such a phrase.

Even Adrien's body language spoke of the flirty resemblance to Chat Noir. Having one knee cocked towards her, a hand on his hip and the other at his nape as he smiled at her in open invitation. Or was he just being friendly? Marinette couldn't be sure. She'd read Adrien's signals wrong so many times in the past. It was almost like his body was saying one thing while his mind said another. Marinette held back her snort. Chat Noir was the complete opposite. As Ladybug she'd always gotten the message of what he was trying to convey loud and clear.

With thoughts of her partner at the forefront of her mind, Marinette was reminded of her most secretive duty of the night. One that no one else knew she needed to perform. Many months prior to the wedding, Nino had approached Ladybug and Chat Noir on the sly. Everyone knew that Alya was a massive fan of the duo, given the success of her Ladyblog, even if it was rather stagnant in news given Hawkmoth's absence. Regardless, both Ladybug and Chat Noir were more than happy to oblige Nino's request to surprise the bride with a flying visit to the reception.

Marinette knew the hush-hush moment was to occur after the garter toss and found herself glancing around Adrien to catch Nino's attention. The groom was already peering her way and gave a slight lift of his chin in acknowledgement. It was show time. Not that Nino knew she was Ladybug, just that she was supposedly getting the room ready for the superhero duo.

"What's that about?" Nora asked as she noticed the exchange.

"Secret maid of honour business."

Adrien tucked the garter in his jacket pocket and rocked back on his heels. "I've got something I need to attend to as well. See you in a bit."

Marinette started walking with him to the function room exit when Nora called out, "If you want to sneak away to make out, you don't have to make up excuses. Have fun," she smirked while giving them a thumbs up.

Massaging her temples and shaking her head, Marinette ignored the stares directed at her and Adrien.

His voice had her glancing his way. "There's nothing subtle about Nora."

"She has no filters."

"None at all. Catch up with you soon," Adrien said with a squeeze to her bare shoulder before he departed.

It was impossible for her to keep moving after that fleeting touch. Instead Marinette watched Adrien's departing figure, particularly the broad expanse of his back as he tucked his hands in his pockets and made his way to the elevator. With a mental shake, Marinette hurried to the small meeting room they'd organised for the surprise visit. Reaching for her clutch, she opened the clip and gazed down at Tikki. "Ready?"


For those interested, most people thought Marinette should ask for a kiss. While tempted, I figured she'd chicken out and go for something more subtle.

So who's looking forward to seeing Ladybug and Chat Noir next chapter? I know I am.

Thanks for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting - and most importantly, for being patient! Stay awesome :)